EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Report ID: ESG811, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Issue:

Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure the PHI (protected health information) of Patient A remained confidential. This failure resulted in the unauthorized disclosure of Patient A's PHI to an unintended recipient in the community.Findings:An interview was conducted with the facility's Information Privacy Officer (IPO) on June 12, 2015, at 9:20 a.m. The IPO stated on June 3, 2015, the department received a call from an individual who stated he received a FAX that was not addressed to him.The IPO further stated on June 2, 2015, a Licensed Vocational Nurse who worked at one of the facility's primary care clinics faxed a medical letter of necessity, which was meant to go to an orthotic company, to an unintended recipient in the community.A review of the letter of medical necessity, dated June 2, 2015, was reviewed. The PHI of Patient A which was disclosed included the patient's name, date of birth, address, a description of the durable medical equipment ordered for Patient A, and the patient's diagnosis. A review of the facility policy, "HIPAA - Use and disclosure of Protected Health Information (Last Reviewed/Revised 2/10/2015)" was conducted. (HIPPA-Health insurance portability and accountability act). The policy indicated, "It is the policy of (the facility) that the confidentiality of protected health information contained in records and collected pursuant to treatment will be protected to the fullest extent possible."The breach of Patient A's PHI was reported to the Department on June 11, 2015.

Outcome:

Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280